Report: Carl Nicks getting mixed messages on resuming his career

Posted by Josh Alper on December 23, 2013, 11:29 AM EST

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The Buccaneers have had guard Carl Nicks in the lineup for just nine games since signing him as a free agent before the 2012 season and a report from Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports creates some uncertainty about how many he might play for them in 2014 and beyond.

Nicks missed nine games in 2012 because of a toe injury and has been out for all but two games this season after contracting a MRSA infection during the summer. Nicks returned for those two games, but hasn’t played since signs of the infection showed up again in September. Now he’s set to visit a specialist to find out why his toe doesn’t feel much better than it did last year.

Per Garafolo’s report, MRSA isn’t believed to be the direct reason for the continued toe issues. There’s concern that Nicks has nerve damage, which may have been exacerbated by the infection, and the player has reportedly received mixed messages from doctors about his ability to return to the field.

Nicks has three years left on his deal and a $7 million base salary in 2014.

What a shame if Nicks has to retire. He was dominant on the field in limited action for the Bucs and is still young enough to bounce back if he’s cleared to return by the doctors.

As noted above by another poster, thank goodness Vincent Jackson has lived up to his contract; between the lingering injury concerns with Nicks and the general uselessness of Eric Wright, VJax needed to live up to his end of the deal and he has.